What have MCC groups been up to?

Here’s a run down of what our hard working MCC Steering and Thematic Groups have been up to during October.

 

Steering Group meeting, Tuesday 22nd October  

At the October Steering Group meeting, the group discussed the following: 

• Progressing the MCC Plan, and agreeing next steps for involving MCC groups, sub-catchments, the community and iwi 

• the ongoing role and functioning of the Steering Group and ideas for continuing to be effective and to become more connected to MCC’s Thematic groups and the community 

• the MCC vision and values and whether they are complete or need further work 

• Updates and work undertaken by the catchment coordinator, iwi, thematic groups and funded projects, and  

• The project budget.  

 

Freshwater Thematic Group meeting, 29th October

The freshwater group discussed the following:

• progress of SHMAK monitoring and engagement in each sub-catchments, designing strategy to expand efforts.  

• eDNA sampling and how to better allocate the budget in future projects.  

• the event with the Forestry group to talk about the sediment flow and mitigation, as well as land use management practices.  

• the purpose of the group and their internal structure. A member of the group has agreed to trial Chairing three meetings before formalising this role.   

 

Forestry Working Group meeting, Friday 1 November 

The Forestry Working Group meeting was well attended and the following was discussed: 

• Who might chair the group 

• future actions for the group, along with the purpose and direction of the group 

• an event being planned for next year in collaboration with the Freshwater Group 

• Some of the complexities of the forestry industry and market, an exploration of alternatives to pine, and factors involved in decision-making by investors in forestry.

 

Biodiversity and Restoration Group update

Whilst the BAR group didn’t have a meeting this month, as always, they are working hard to find ways to engage and empower the Motueka catchment communities, when it comes to enhancing our local biodiversity. During the planting season, they supported a range of worthy planting projects, including those involving restoring inanga spawning sites. They continue to work with our community nurseries who are starting to focus on growing species specific to coastal and freshwater wetland habitats, as well as for the more traditional riparian plantings. At the moment, the main job is to prick out the seedlings into root trainers. If you are planning an exciting biodiversity project for 2025, get in touch with Kate Radloff biodiversity@motuekacatchment.org.nz 

 

Pest Management Group meeting, Tuesday 15 October

The Pest Management Group discussed a number of ongoing areas of focus, and combined this with a discussion about budget remaining and spending priorities. This included the upcoming OMB event in November, settting up the backyard trapping initiative in Tapawera, and looking at a number of proposed projects in the catchment involving weeding and trapping, such as a restoration project in Thorpe Recreation Reserve in Dovedale. The group also discussed their aspirations for the catchment for 50 years time from a pest management perspective.  

 

MCC Plan working group workshops, 17 & 24 October 

The MCC Plan working group met online twice to continue assessing the extent of the pressures facing the things we care about in the catchment. This step is nearly completed, and the group is working on a template to disseminate to thematic groups, along with involving iwi, and technical experts along with moving onto the next step.